​I've always been a huge fan of the Clinique range of foundations, but none more so than their latest offering, the BIY (Blend It Yourself) Pigment Drops. While they're not the first brand to introduce customisable foundation, I've fallen hard for the Clinique version- let me tell you why.

Using Clinique BIY is a brilliant way to create your perfect base- which we all know tends to differ on different days. The formulation is highly, highly pigmented, and is activated by shaking the bottle gently. Using one drop (don't squeeze the bottle! Just tap it!) will result in a sheer, BB/CC cream-like coverage. Two drops gives medium coverage, and three drops will make you look air-brushed (my personal fave).

BUT (and this is important)! You don't use these by themselves- you add the drops to your preferred moisturiser, primer, or foundation (for a REALLY full coverage). This is where you can get really experimental; using moisturisers with different finishes can make your base either dewy or matte. For example, I get a lovely matte base when I use Clinique BIY with the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion....and if I mix a few drops of BIY with MAC Strobe Cream, the finish is glowing & gorgeous. SO GOOD.

Clinique BIY comes in an extensive range of shades, so it's definitely important to go instore to make sure you get the right shade. Don't be alarmed by the size of the bottle- it's only 10ml- just remember that you'll only be using 1-3 drops at a time, so theoretically it'll last just as long as other foundations. I'm thinking that these could be great for makeup artists to keep in their kits, given the smaller size of the bottle, and the customisable factor.

On an absolutely basic level- it makes me happy that this is so easy to get in NZ, and that I don't have to rely on (sometimes unreliable/shonky) websites to get it to me. Instead, you can go straight to a Clinique counter and not only get it straight away, but you're able to get colour-matched at the same time. HUZZAH.

At $85, it certainly isn't a cheap option, but it's a product that I truly am enjoying using, and can happily recommend to you guys! I just really, really love how I can make my base whichever finish/coverage I want, depending on what I feel like I need on the day. It makes me feel all experimental & scientist-y, because obviously that's a word and a thing. Give it a try!

Yes- you absolutely read that right- 7 days is seriously all it takes...and it is SUPER easy. I was sent the latest skincare innovation from Clinique, the Fresh Pressed 7-Day System with Pure Vitamin C, and I was SO excited to try it out. I admit I was a little skeptical at first at the process only taking 7 days...but I was wrong, and now I'm a total convert.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know how obsessed I am with using Vitamin C in my skincare products. It seems to be the main ingredient that my skin absolutely loves; it gives me results so quickly, and my skin has never been healthier (glowy! So glowy!) since incorporating it into my routine.

Okay- back to the 7-Day System- here's how it works. In the pack you'll receive 7 single-use packets of Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C, and one 7-day vial of Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%. In the morning, you tear open one of the packettes, pour the powder into your wet palm and work it into a lather before applying it to your little face- it's nice and foamy! After a minute (don't take it off sooner!), rinse it all off- & you're done! Your skin will be looking pretty bloody lovely at this stage (nice & bright), but wait- THERE'S MORE!

The next step is to be done in the evening- this is when you use the second part of the system, the 7-day vial of Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%. When you first get your little paws on this, write the date on the side- this is so you can remember when you started (something especially helpful for forgetful types aka me). After that, you activate the Pure Vitamin C inside by peeling of the foil, firmly press the button on the top twice, & then shake it for 15 seconds. It sounds complicated but it REALLY isn't. Then it's as simple as adding two drops of the Daily Booster to your chosen moisturiser, mixing them together, and applying the mixture to your face- VOILA! I read that 36% of women notice brighter skin from the VERY first application- which is awesome!

"But why is pure Vitamin C so great, and what can I expect after seven days?", you ask? Well- fresh Vitamin C is one of the most powerful de-aging vitamins you can use on your skin, for a start. If you use it regularly, you'll see your skin start to become brighter, clearer, more even-toned, firmer & smoother. It's a miracle ingredient, I swear. Pure, fresh Vitamin C (as opposed to Vitamin C that has been exposed to oxygen) is far more effective & potent...which we love. Because look, if you're going to fork out for quality skincare, you want it to perform properly. The Fresh Pressed 7-Day System does this perfectly with its single use packaging, and I'm just ridiculously impressed.

From what I've seen online, these are selling out all over the world (for good reason), so quickly pop down to your nearest Clinique counter to snaffle it up! The 7-Day System has an RRP of $60, and you can buy larger packs (each pack containing a month's worth of product) as well if you truly fall in love, which I did. MAJOR HEART EMOTICON!

You can read more about the magical & wondrous Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-Day System with Pure Vitamin C here!

Everyone knows how much I love Environ Skincare- it's one of the most effective, high-performing skincare brands available. They're getting super festive this year with this amazing gift with purchase- look how pretty it is! It contains a mini Revival Mask (this mask is seriously like a face lift in a jar- no joke), Hydrating Oil Capsules (dry skin saviours), a mini Avance & a full size Youth EssentiA CQuence Eye Gel- whoooop! It's all yours for FREE when you purchase your favourite Environ Cleanser, Toner and Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ Moisturiser- & it has a value of $207. SO GOOD! Available at selected Environ stockists...while stocks last!

​Like I sad in my post last week, no one does Christmas quite like Lush does., and these are some of the very few goodies available in store. Clockwise from the top! The Golden Wonder Gift Set costs just $17.90, comes beautifully gift wrapped, & contains the Golden Wonder Bath Bomb AND the lovely Stardust Bath Bomb. Looking for last minute Secret Santa gift ideas?The Igloo Soap ($9.90 per 100gm) contains rose & Sicilian Lemon Oils, is ridiculously mood-lifting- & seriously limited edition.The Candy Mountain Bubble Bar is easily my favourite bath bar- it smells like vanilla absolute & Snow Fairy deliciousness, turns your bathwater light pink, & gives a tonne of beautiful bubbles.Probably my fave gift set is Sweet Christmas ($31.90), because it has ALL the good things- Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Rockstar Soap- & the new Snow Fairy Body Conditioner- LOVE!!! The smaller sized Little Snow Fairy Gift is similar- and perfect for those of us on a budget; containing the Snow Fairy Shower Gel & Snow Fairy FUN bar for bath time antics ;) I LOVE the Joy to the World Gift not only for the gorgeous packaging (I love not having to wrap gifts myself, I'm awful at it), but for the two products it contains; the new Santa's Postbox Soap, & the ever-popular Dream Cream. Last, but certainly not least, the Reindeer Rock Soap. The perfect stocking filler for any Lushie, it's a dream to use with the coconut oil, lingonberry & rose absolute it contains..plus, it looks gorgeous!!

​Ohhhh, YSL, your packaging gets me every time- and the very limited edition 2016 Holiday Look Sparkle Clash collection is definitely no exception! Each product has very expensive-feeling (& looking) silver & gold glittered casing, with the lipstick bullets themselves embossed with stars. LOVE THIS. They come in four different shades: 01 Le Rouge, 09 Rose Stiletto,13 Le Orange, & 19 Fuchsia Pink...and I want them all. The Sparkle Clash Collection also includes the best selling complexion enhancer, Touche Eclat, which is encased in the same beautiful silver & gold packaging. These are on counter now- but you as you can imagine- they won't last long!

​If you haven't been fortunate enough to try any of the products from the Go-To Skincare range (founded by the hilarious Zoe Foster-Blake), the perfect time is NOW. They've brought out some very, very cute cosmetic bags packed full of products which are available exclusively over the holiday season. You can choose from the Bestsellersies set, which contains Properly Clean (one of my fave foaming cleansers), Very Useful Face Cream, & the new Pinky-Nudey Lips. OR you can opt for the Everydaysies set (I love these names) which features Properly Clean, Face Hero (a divine facial oil), & Very Useful Face Cream. Looking for a present for your boyfriend/husband/whatever? Check out the amazing Bro-To Deluxe DIY Male Spa Kit, which contains Properly Clean, as well as...wait for it...a shower beer holder! PERFECT! My boyfriend needs this, desperately! To shop these, click here!

​Clinique absolutely excels when it comes to incredible holiday collections, and this year it's apparent they've set the bar even higher! There are seriously so many options to choose from, but I was especially drawn to the Indulge In Colour Set- an eye shadow palette that any MUO member would go crazy over. The pallete contains 13 different shadows, which are all fantastic quality (the colour payoff is great, and they're longer-lasting than many other shades) & offers endless combination options. There are also four limited edition brushes inside, and a HUGE mirror in the case- something that will come particularly handy if you're travelling. This woud be perfect as a Christmas gift for your favourite makeup lover- but you'll be super tempted to keep it for yourself!

​If you weren't sure if Lancômewas bringing out a Holiday collection- I have great news for you- they have, and it is GORGEOUS. My pick of the collection is the Cushion Highlighter, pictured above- look at that gold compact. Loooook at it! We need! The product itself is a complete dream, which you use in the same way as you would a cushion foundation (if you haven't read my thoughts on the LancômeMiracle Cushion Foundation, you can click here to see how much I loved it!), except obviously in the areas that you'd like to highlight. It gives a beautiful dewy finish, and has a golden sheen...I'm in love. If you're not down with powder highlights, & you're nervous about using a liquid highlighter, you most definitely need to give this a whirl

​A tonne of people always ask me what I use on my skin, and one of the skincare brands that completely transformed my skin is Aspect Skincare. It is, quite simply, bloody beautiful. I know that good skincare can be tough on your bank balance, which is why I'm telling you guys about the Aspect Basic Starter Kit. It contains all the things you need to get great skin, in smaller sizes and it's a fantastic way to get a feel for the range before committing to full sizes. The kit contains Purastat 5 Cleanser (super gentle, & suitable for all skin types- even sensitive), Extreme C 20 (the all-important Vitamin C serum!!!!), Exfol L 15 (an exfoliating serum to be used in the evening) & Phytostat 9 (a frickin amazing moisturiser which makes your skin glow!). Trust me on this brand- you and your skin will LOVE- for stockists call 0800 238 754.

​If there’s one fragrance line that MUO members go crazy for, it’s anything Juicy Couture. For starters, every single bottle is fricking GORGEOUS, & is precisely what we’d all like to have sitting with our beauty collections. Always gold, bold, & super girly, we’re not just fans of the packaging- their scents are completely to die for. The latest offering, I Love Juicy Couture has top notes of taffy apple, red currant & mandarin, middle notes of jasmine petals, tigerlily & pink honeysuckle, & base notes of whipped amber, musk & patchouli. IT SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN IN A BOTTLE!!!! The best news? Just in time for Christmas, Juicy Couture has released a limited edition gift set which contains I Love Juicy Couture EDP Spray 50ml, I Love Juicy Couture Deluxe Mini EDP 5ml, and I Love Juicy Couture Shimmering Body Lotion 125ml- this is on counter now- you neeeeed it!

It's no secret that I love Aspect skincare- I've been using it regularity our over 3 years now, and it's completely changed my skin for the better! Like, crazy better. Even though, yes, I'm getting old & have mad wrinkles, I've never had as many compliments on my skin as I get now, and Aspect has played a huge part of it all. The Aspect Brightening Kit is designed to do just that- brighten, as well as tackle any problems of pigmentation. Even better, it includes a purifying cleanser, a seriously hydrating moisturiser (gentle enough to be used around the eyes also), an exfoliating serum (this one is brilliant at shrinking pores), & the famous Pigment Punch- which works on any pigmentation you may have- including age spots, freckles and acne scars. This stuff WORKS, guys!

Awhile ago I had an amazing Dermalogica facial at Mint Beauty in Te Awamutu, and my beauty therapist introduced me to some incredibly effective products- one of them being the Daily Microfoliant. Not only have I been using it obsessively ever since, but I’ve recommended it to dozens of friends and family- it is AMAZING. So what is it?? The Daily Microfoliant is gentle, rice-based powder which when comes into contact with water, releases very good things such as Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes. These guys gently but effectively exfoliate away dead skin cells...which in turn will give you smooth, glowing skin, & help to even out your skin tone!I keep mine in the shower so it’s right there, easy to use, every day- just a warning though, this product is addictive- it’s that good!​Cosmedix is another brand that I’ve been using religiously for several years, and they just can’t seem to put a foot wrong with any of their products. Over the past few months, I’ve been trialling the Simply Brilliant 24/7 Brightening Serum, and it is, quite honestly, brilliant. You can use it during the day, but I prefer to use it in the evening before I moisturise, and I wake up with YAY skin. This serum contains natural, active ingredients such as Licorice Root Extract, Green Tea Extract, & Daisy Flower Extract- as well as the all important Vitamin B (niacinamide), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), & salicylic acid. These all work in conjunction to reduce hyperpigmentation and photodamaged skin (bye bye dark spots!), & it’s easily one of the strongest skin-brightening products available without a prescription. If you’re serious about getting rid of dark spots, this is your guy.

Another fabulous Dermalogica skin brightening product that I’ve been trying is the Map-15 Regenerator. Don’t let the small vial fool you- it contains an incredibly strong form of stabilised Vitamin C, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and is just PERFECT for nailing any dark spots once and for all. I’ve never used a formulation like it; it’s a powder which turns into a liquid when it comes into contact with skin- like...magic ;) I don’t use it all over my face because it really is so strong- I’ve just been using it on the pigmentation on my cheeks, and I’m rapt to say that they have faded so much in over 2 months of regular use. I also use it occasionally around my eyes- it can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, as well as those annoying crows feet. There is the option of mixing the powder with your moisturiser- but I prefer to use it as a targeted treatment- it’s strong, and that’s the way I like my skincare products. Love love LOVE.​If there’s something Clinique really knows how to do well, it’s skincare. I love the entire new Turnaround range, which was released in NZ last year, it aims to banish dull, tired & stressed out skin for good- making you look radiant! Who doesn’t want to look radiant?! One of the standout products from the range however is the Revitalising Instant Facial, it makes my skin feel SO GOOD- & LOOK so good! It’s an exfoliating face mask, which you apply in a thick layer & leave on for 5 minutes- although I tend to leave it on for a little longer because that’s just my vibe. When you’re finished, simply rinse it off with water, and you will be in GLOW TOWN. This is a particularly good mask for using in the morning pre-makeup application, because it really makes makeup sit so nicely on the skin. It’d be super great to use if you haven't had much sleep the night before, or if you plan on taking some serious selfies. Give it a try, & while you’re at it, check out the rest of the Turnaround range because it is yum.

Ahhh, Lancome- you’re so beautiful, always!!! I’ll try not to bang on too much about the packaging, because obviously it’s inside what matters...but it IS pretty. The Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate is a powerhouse serum, which is meant to refresh and revitalise your skin, as well as restoring radiance. I’ve tried using this both morning and night before following up with moisturiser, and it’s a complete joy to use! Since starting to use this in March, I’ve noticed a big difference in the texture of my skin (it’s MUCH smoother), and honestly, it just looks far healthier and fresh overall. A small amount goes a long way, and lately I’ve been popping a tiny amount in with my foundation to give my base an extra glowy appearance. Obviously (as with all active skincare products) you’ll get the best results over a longer amount of time, but I can say without a doubt that with this serum, your skin will feel immediately refreshed and smooth! If you can find a sample of this, you must try it!

Benefit Cosmetics completely blew me away with their new products which launched in NZ last month- I haven’t been this excited by a collection in a LONG time. All centered around giving you glowing, radiant skin, the absolute stand outs for me are Dew The Hoola liquid bronzer, & Shy Beam liquid highlighter. Dew The Hoola is the first liquid bronzer I’ve ever tried, and I am smitten. I’ve always been a bit nervous of them, but this beauty is a cinch to apply (I use a small, dense fluffy brush). It blends beautifully, gives a natural bronzed matte finish, and really would suit the majority of skintones. And that gold bamboo packaging! I REALLY hope this is a permanent addition to the Benefit range. Shy Beam is the first matte highlighter I’ve ever used- I didn’t think that such a thing existed! Basically, it gives you a glow as opposed to a shimmer or sparkle, which makes it far more natural, or, “lit from within” as they say ;) I use the same kind of brush to blend this in as I do for Dew The Hoola (MAC #109, in case you wondered), but you could easily use your fingers as well. These products are both LOVELY, and I genuinely hope they’re here to stay.

Okay, if I could only choose ONE makeup product that I was able to use for the rest of my life, it’d be the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. I can’t even begin to describe how good it is- it is a JOY, and there’s simply nothing like it. It is at the pricier end of the spectrum, but I use every shade, every day- it’s so worth it. The palette contains 3 different powders: Dim Light, (which I use as a finishing/setting powder all over my face), Incandescent Light, (which is a gorgeous highlighter for the tops of the cheekbones- and anywhere you like to highlight), & Radiant Light (a soft bronzing powder which works amazingly as a soft contour, and to add a little warmth to your face). Obviously you don’t need to use them all at once if you don’t want to, but whatever you choose, your skin will look AMAZING. I swear! It’s my holy grail, the best of the best.

Lush Feeling Younger is a little pot of joy that can be used in a multitude of ways to highlight your skin and make you glowing and gorgeous. You can wear it mixed with moisturiser or foundation for a dewy base, on the tops of your cheekbones and brow bones- even as an eyeshadow base. So basically it's a light reflecting cream that goes on in shades of pink, gold and silver, it's opalescent- and has yummy natural ingredients like almond oil, cocoa butter & orange flower water. A pot of this will last you for a very long time as well, because a little bit goes a really long way. I feel like there's 6 million more things I could say about Feeling Younger, but I'm running out of space- I just encourage you to go in store and ask the girls about it, you'll be sold. Plus, you'll get to see the Lush girls which is a treat in itself!

Products from YSL make my skin very happy at the best of times, but lately I have been using this one more than any other primer I own. The Top Secrets Instant Moisture Glow works perfectly as a primer- but the best thing about it is the intense surge of hydration that it gives...and keeps on giving throughout the day. It makes my makeup look fresh and glowy all day long, & I love how you can use it not only pre-makeup application, but throughout the day as well for touch ups. I pop a little around my eyes and nose area mid afternoon (and on my frownies if it’s been a long day)- love it! If your skin is a little tired looking, and you need an instant dose of radiance- you’ll love this.

If anyone was to ask me what the most talked-about foundation was in MUO, my answer HANDS DOWN would be the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. We love it for it’s coverage, the perfect finish, and for the crazy longevity- it’s just amazing. Now it has a little sister- in BB format, with a glowing, radiant finish! The Double Wear All-Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup (long name, but worth it) has actually been available in NZ for quite awhile...but it hasn’t gotten the amount of attention that I feel it deserves. Think about everything you love about the original DW, and then add a dewy finish, & a lighter, more comfortable wear. It says the coverage is sheer, but I swear it’s more medium..& that GLOW it gives is perfection! If you can try a sample of this, please do!

Bobbi Brown has a habit of absolutely slaying me with each new collection- there’s always at least 2 or 3 products that make me swoon in true MUO fashion. When I first saw the Nude Illuminating Powder I assumed it would be similar to their hugely popular Shimmer Bricks- but I was wrong! This is more of a finishing/setting powder, to be used over your entire face. I was a bit nervous about doing that initially, because, well, I didn’t want my whole face to shine- but this powder is SO finely-milled! It illuminates my skin, very similar to how Hourglass performs (except this is more attainable), and gives a lovely glow that lasts. It is able to be built up and concentrated on certain areas of the face e.g. tops of the cheekbones- and it comes in a range of different wearable shades from very fair to tan. Love love LOVE this!!!​This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include a brilliant primer that makes you glow, and the one I’m using most often at the moment is the Lancome La Base Hydra Glow. It is just SO lovely to wear- it contains one of my all-time favourite ingredients, hyaluronic acid- and you know what that means, right? Awesome amounts of hydration, all day long, which of course results in a happy, intact foundation base, all day long. It’s a pearlescent makeup primer, which gives you the coveted glow, and also contains rose essence to soothe any irritated/troubled skin. It feels good, it looks good, and you only need the tiniest amount to look like a fresh faced angel. This product is perfect for the colder months, thanks to the nourishing ingredients, and is the perfect product to use as a base for your glowing skin makeup regime. A must try!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 01The first item I think of when I think about winter makeup is a red lipstick- & this classic from YSL ticks ALL the boxes. The satin formulation is insanely pigmented and creamy, and stays completely true to colour- which is a bold red with a slight (very slight) blue undertone. The gold packaging is gorgeous, and I love how comfortable it feels to wear. In case you needed any further convincing, this shade is a favourite of Khloe Kardashian- Kourtney loves the more orange-based red, Le Orange, which is similarly beautiful!Lancome Audacity In Paris PaletteIf you’re looking for a new palette for winter that contains a mix of warm and cool tones, and a mixture of matte and shimmer- check out this pretty new palette from Lancome. For a start, it has a total of 16 different shades which is impressive- a good number of which are quite unlike any other shades I already own. I love how the colours complement each other, and the seemingly endless amount of combinations you could come up with. It comes with a double-ended brush which is lovely to use (unlike the majority of brushes included with palettes from other brands), and the packaging is sturdy and sleek. LOVE.Estee Lauder Sumptuous Knockout MascaraWant to never have the hassle of clumpy lashes again? Or need to use a lash curler? You MUST try this newbie mascara from Estee Lauder, because it is boss. The black as black formula is virtually impossible to mess up- I applied several layers to check the “clump-factor”, and it just looked more and more gorgeous. My lashes are pretty curly anyway, but I did notice that they were nearly touching my brows after applying this- a bonus if you have naturally straight lashes. The brush is awesomely easy to work with, the product doesn’t flake off or smudge- and it’s not a drama to take off at the end of the day. What more could you want?

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fixing MistI haven’t really tried very many makeup setting sprays, mainly because it’s relatively rare to find them on shelves in NZ. Thankfully L’Oreal Paris is changing all that up this month with the introduction of the Infallible Fixing Mist, a oil-free makeup setting spray. I’ve read that this product is particularly good for people with oily skin, but my main concern is dry skin/fine lines (WRINKLES)- & I found that this really helped my makeup to stay out of said lines. The mist is super fine, and very lightweight- you really need to give the bottle a good shake before applying in a X and T motion (approximately 3-4 sprays). It definitely helped my makeup last longer, and my base looked far fresher around 3pm-4pm than it usually does! I’m hooked on this, & I predict it’ll be a MUO sell out- be quick!Maybelline Face Studio Master Contour PaletteThought the contouring trend was on the way out? No chance- especially not when brands are bringing out more and more palettes- ones that are not only easily accessible, but SUPER user friendly. I tend to ever only use 2-3 shades while contouring, & so I’ve never felt the need for a huge palette, which is one of the reasons why this lil cutie from Maybelline is perfect for me! It comes in two different shade combinations depending on how light or dark your face is, & includes a contour shade, a highlight, & a blush. This takes any guesswork out of the contouring game, so it’s brilliant for newbies, & I was impressed by how pigmented (and blendable) the powders are. I recommend using a light hand with the darker contour shade, because it IS so pigmented- but I haven’t had a mare with blending it at all. It’s such a great little kit- & it’ll be in store soon, if not now, so keep an eye out!

Bobbi Brown Sunset Pink CollectionOh my goodness, the latest collection from Bobbi Brown, Sunset Pink, has arrived and it is EXACTLY my cup of tea. Think shimmering golds, pinks and bronzes, creamy, pigmented formulations, and ultra-finely milled powders perfect for strobing- and you're nearly there. The sunset shade-inspired collection includes cream eyeshadows, highlighting powders, cheek tints, gel eyeliners, and so much more! Bobbi Brown products are consistently high performing, so you already know they're going to be fab...the hardest factor is trying to narrow down your purchases. My picks? Definitely the three highlighting powders (I can't choose which, don't make me!), the cream eyeshadow in Stone Pink (the perfect pinky mauve), and the Sheer Cheek Tint in Telluride. Honestly, this collection is stunning. I'm going to be broke...but it's going to be worth it! Don't forget to check out the new Skin Nourishing Glow Foundation as well (mini review here)- it's a dream!

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick

I’ve been a huge fan of these lipsticks for years- not only are they packaged beautifully in a heavy gold casing, but the formulation is out of this world in terms of performance. The lipsticks are creamy, hydrating, highly pigmented, last for hours on my lips (even through a burger, and I eat a LOT of burgers), and they somehow manage to make my lips look fuller and plumper. Plus, there is a HUGE range of colours to choose from. The best news? Elizabeth Arden has just released 6 new shades- Blushing Pink, Magenta Bubbly, Cherry Bomb, Violetini, Rose Aurora, and Coral Fizz. My faves? The gorgeous Violetini (a violet based berry which is SUCH a winter shade), and Coral Fizz (because I’m obsessed with anything peach).

Lancome Juicy Shakers

Remember Juicy Tubes? Those highly coveted little tubes of gloss were permanently in my bag for years...but Lancome has upped the ante by bringing out the (quite frankly adorable) Juicy Shakers- a tinted lip oil. The packaging is almost worth it alone- the cutest little cocktail shakers, ahhh...but the actual product is gorgeous! It’s not at all sticky, thanks to being oil-based, and gives a fresh, pretty pop of colour that is perfect for everyday wear. I love the big sponge tip applicator, it’s fun to use, and the product feels really comfortable to wear- it contains good things like sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, & muscat rose oil to nourish & hydrate. Did I mention that they smell and taste SO GOOD? The biggest drama is trying to decide which one is for you...my faves are Piece of Cake (a “lips but better” shade), & the glorious Apri Cute.

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation​The latest trend in foundations is definitely the cushion compact style, and I've been loving trying out all the new offerings this year. The latest cushion foundation to hit the shelves is the word word from YSL, and it's an absolute stunner. YSL always has spectacular packaging, and this weighty gold and black compact is certainly no exception. It comes with a sponge which is designed to be used with the foundation, but I tend to use a brush because I'm a creature of habit. As with other cushion foundations, the liquid foundation is contained in the cushion, and when lightly pressed it releases the EXACT amount of product you need. This foundation will give you a light to medium coverage,, and has a glorious matte finish without being flat- think a kind of radiant/matte hybrid. It felt beautiful and hydrating on my face, and I got approximately 7 to 8 hours, which is super impressive. Especially considering I chose not to set it with any powder so I could give it a proper chance! I believe the foundation is either the same or very similar to YSL's best selling foundation, Fusion Ink- but with the added convenience of being housed in a compact. Word word word is perfect for travel and perfect for people who want a little luxury in their life- it's worth the splurge!

Clinique Sweet Pots- Sugar Scrub & Lip BalmAhhhh, the cuteness of this packaging- like macarons! I have hearts for eyes just looking at them- but enough about that- this wee pot is a dual sugar lip scrub and tinted balm, & I’m obsessed. Available in store now in NZ, there are 5 different shades to choose from- Red Velvet, Orange Blossom, Candied Cassis, Pink Framboise, & Sweet Rose. I DARE you to try and choose ;) I was sent the Candied Cassis shade to try, and it’s the perfect sheer, berry-toned balm. After using the scrub for a couple of minutes first, & then applying the balm, my lips are hydrated and happy- and all set for winter. I dare winter to try and give us dry lips now!

ZA Colour Match Shield CC CreamIf there’s one makeup technique that I love, it’s colour correcting. I would much rather tone down any redness or dullness by using a colour correcting product than try to pile on foundation to cover it all up! You can get as technical as you like with colour correction (and I do, when I have time), but I’ve been trying out the ZA Colour Match Shield CC Creams for the past month, and I love them! They’re available in a purple shade (to counteract dullness) and a green cream (to counteract redness), and after application leave your skin looking even and glowing. I LIKE!! You can wear them on their own for a fresh face, but I like to use a thin layer before applying my foundation- it works so well. Using these have cut down on the amount of foundation and concealer I would normally use, and I love that they contain an SPF 30. Multi-tasking=GOOD! Plus? They have an RRP of only $20- I highly recommend you give them a whirl!

MAC x Chris Chang collectionOne of my favourite things about MAC (and there’s many, trust me) is how often they bring out new collections- there’s ALWAYS something to covet. This is both wonderful and dangerous, but I’m going to look at it in a positive light, because makeup ;) MAC has collaborated with Chinese designer Chris Chang to bring out one of the most eye catching collections I’ve seen- that packaging! The range consists of five lipsticks, three cream colour bases, four eyeshadows, a gel eyeliner, & a translucent finishing powder housed in the most beautiful compact I’ve ever seen. If I had to pick my favourites, I’d definitely opt for the pressed powder (not just for the pretty compact, but it’s definitely a reason), the eyeshadow in Electric Mandarin (a matte, neon orange), the lipstick Vermillion Vee (a matte true red) and the Rich Coral Cream Colour Base (an orange which would look amazing on the cheeks, eyes, or lips. They’re available in store now- and VERY limited edition, so you’ll have to dash!